They were married Dec. 16, 1978, at St.Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elkhart.

They celebrated during the Christmas holiday with a long weekend in Chicago: shopping, dining and enjoying each other’s company.

Mr. Eppers is president of the Philip Matthews Co. Mrs. Eppers is an assistant controller of Franger Gas.

They have four children, Richard and Kori, both of Chicago, Elizabeth of Cincinnati and Whitnie of Indianapolis.

They are high school and college sweethearts. They met in 1972 when Mr. Eppers stopped by Dairy Queen and was served by Mrs. Eppers, who was working there; dozens of hot fudge sundaes later they were dating. They dated for six years before he proposed.